Bennett at Six Months

Well, Bennett, it happened. I glanced away for a second, and when I looked back, you were half a year old. I can’t even begin to tell you just how special you are to us. You are such a fantastic baby. I have heard rumors that some children have been wonderful infants and then change at six months. I am praying this is not the case with you. I’m not sure what I would do with you if you got extremely fussy. I’m sure I’d figure it out, but I think that’s a test best left untaken, so let’s just make a deal that you’ll continue on your current path.
This month you have finally taught yourself to roll back over from your tummy to your back, although you are not all that good at it yet. And my only proof that you can do it is because there have been times when you have woken up on your back after I know you had been on your tummy at some point. I have not actually witnessed the front/back roll, but as long as it keeps you in blissful slumber just a little while longer, I’m willing to believe things I don’t see.
I have tried to get you to latch onto a little puppy blanket that Grandmommy gave you, but you have made your own decision to fall madly in love with a satin, super soft blanket that Maddelle gave you. Right now it’s just big enough to cover your body when you roll on your side and curl up. You immediately grab it and pull it up to your face and, most of the time, fall instantly asleep (or at least quiet). So far you’ve only had this in your crib, and if possible, I’d like to keep it that way. Otherwise, I’ll have to contact Maddelle pronto and get at least three more! With Reeves, we have a whole herd of his froggies, and he doesn’t seem to prefer one over the other, so come to think of it, it might be a good idea to go ahead and stock up for you.
Your movements this month have gotten much more deliberate and focused. When you reach for something, you go after it directly and without much wandering of the hand. Though you are not near crawling, you somehow manage to maneuver your way around the den floor. This is great as far as your development goes, but it is not such a welcome change to your brother. More than once he has left a toy on the floor only to look over and find that you have managed to grab it. I thought I would have a little more time before I had to address the whole “sharing with your brother” issue, but it looks like you have decided to move that up a few steps. So far Reeves has been relatively good about getting you another toy to play with, and none of your fingers or arms appear to be disjointed, so he’s also mastered the art of not grabbing whatever it is from you.
You had your first sit down meal on the 13th. Rice cereal with breast milk. We were all very excited about it, and you seemed to be taking it in stride until you realized that there was actually something with texture in your mouth. We have never laughed so hard. Even Reeves was amused. You have the same disturbing habit that he had of seeming to choke on anything you decide you don’t like. It was more than once that I jerked Reeves out of his seat, prepared to administer the Heimlich maneuver, only to discover that it was his tastebuds that were revolting and not his windpipe. Be warned, I’m privy to these tricks now, so you won’t get away with it as much as he did!
Benny Boy, you’re an angel. You send Daddy off to work with a big smile, and you welcome him back with that same smile. Only now, you’ve added to his happiness even more because you are starting to reach out to him when he goes to take you from my arms. You make us so happy, and we love you more than you’ll ever know.